Sometimes our victims can be our saviors. Mary Daly, a Roman Catholic theologian and philosopher, was appalled at Vatican II in 1965 by the contrast she observed between the 2500 men, bishops dressed in floor-length purple and lace attire, cardinals with red and lace and the few women who were present as observers, mostly veiled nuns in long black habits who were not permitted to speak. She began to speak out eloquently and boldly against patriarchy, a system of organizing societies in such a way that men, normally elderly men, rule. The word patriarchy means “rule by a father.” James Patterson, in his recent book, The # 1 Dad Book, is among many writers and speakers who are offering a different model of fatherhood and ways of moving from patriarchy to partnership. In this presentation I will be weaving some of my own experiences as a grandson, son, father, step-father, grandfather, adoptive father, and great-grandfather in waiting with insights from some other mentors such as St. Francis of Assisi, Kahlil Gibran, Ryan Holiday, Mary Daly, Joan Chittister, and Heather Cox Richardson.
Karl Brown is an ordained United Methodist minister, former Director of the CCC (predecessor to UCM), and has been a part-time minister and guest speaker for SMUUF for over 25 years. In addition, his wife, Karen, is a SMUUF member. We view Karl as kind of a “father” of SMUUF
and are always glad to see him back in our pulpit. Long may he serve!
San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 